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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/27/19910 CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- February 27, 1991 President Bob McCluskey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Board Member John Barnett called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting, but wanted the Board to know that he thinks the Tree Resource Report submitted to the Board by City Forester Tim Buchanan is incredibly well done. Agenda Review: Staff asked the Board to move the Citizen Participation portion of the agenda to after Item #5 as there were citizens from Clarendon Hills who requested time with the Board. This item was moved because Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Mike Powers was attending the Cultural Resources Board meeting and wanted to be present for the Clarendon Hills citizen participation portion of this meeting. Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 23, 1991 were approved unanimously on a motion by Elery Wilmarth, seconded by Roger Tarum. Tree Resource Report City Forester Tim Buchanan mailed the Tree Resource Report to Board Members in their packets last week. He explained the report reviews the tree resource in our community and discusses the benefits of our urban forest. Tim presented a slide show to the Board- showing the various tree plantings and management responsibilities of the City Forestry Division of street trees, park trees, open space trees, and median trees. An inventory analysis of City trees was completed in 1990 that indicated the overall condition of City owned trees. This report indicated that 75 percent or 18,589 of the City trees are in good condition and only five percent or 1,239 of the City trees are in poor condition. The 36 public parks or areas in Fort Collins have a cumulative total of 7,000 trees. Grandview Cemetery is the heaviest populated public area in the City. Tim further explained that in order to properly maintain the pruning schedule for our urban forest, the cycle for pruning should be every six years. The City is planting approximately 1,000 trees each year. With these standards, the Forestry Division is recommending the following: Reduce pruning rotation to six years would cost an additional $20,000. The current pruning rotation of 8.87 years is too long. It does not sufficiently minimize liability or public safety. Reduce mortality of new transplants. During 1989, 13 percent of trees planted on City property did not survive. Losses of 10 to 15 percent are not uncommon for a large scale operation, but staff feels there is room for improvement. A Forestry Quality Improvement Team is working on this problem. 3. Initiating a park maintenance funding policy of 34/tree/year. A policy and formula is needed to address the increased need for tree care. Emphasize proper species selection in order to have a good balance of various Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 27, 1991 Page 2 tree species in Fort Collins and to continue our 'plan to protect our urban forest from insect or disease epidemics. The Board unanimously endorsed the Tree Resource Report as submitted by staff, and directed staff to send this report to City Council for their review. Skateboarding Recreation Supervisor Dave Mosnik led the discussion. Fort Skate, a locally owned and operated skateboarding facility, opened in 1989. The owner is no longer interested in operating this facility. The problem of skateboarding in Old Town and on public streets virtually disappeared when Fort Skate opened. Citizen Christine O'Neill, representing the skateboarders, was present at the meeting. Dave said that Christine and her group asked City Council to provide a place for skateboarding in Fort Collins. Council asked staff to analyze skateboarding in terms of overall recreation philosophy and to examine the options for City involvement in this program. Mike Powers asked the Board to review the philosophy and policy paper that Jean Helburg prepared for the Board and if they have any concerns, to call staff by March 12. Staff will prepare an agenda item summary for City Council's meeting on March 19, asking if the City wants to be in the skateboarding business, and if so several options will be presented. Board Member Karen Schubert stated that the liability is the key issue to skateboarding. Citizen Participation: Clarendon Hills neighborhood representative Jerry Krygier came before the Board to further update them on the proposed Clarendon Hills neighborhood park. The neighbors are concerned because of the School Board's decision Monday night to build the new elementary school east of Front Range Community College, and that the City will build the park adjacent to the school and not in the southwest location in Clarendon Hills. Board Member Bob Alexander stated that because the Clarendon Hills representatives (Jerry Krygier) came before the Board last month to express their concerns that it was a waste of time to discuss this topic until staff presents the proposals to the Board in April. President Bob McCluskey said that the neighbors would have plenty of time to express their concerns during the neighborhood meetings that staff will hold. Mr. Krygier requested that the neighborhood meetings not be held during Poudre R-1 Spring Break (March 11-15). He then distributed to the Board a Clarendon Hills Open Space updated report. Senior Center/Fort Collin Indoor Community Pool Mike Powers gave an overview of the Council worksession scheduled for March 12. Three items for the Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services area will be presented. The senior center, indoor pool, and performing arts feasibility study. Phase I -- needs assessment for the senior center has been completed. Phase II Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 27, 1991 Page 3 will be the site selection which we will go back to Council with in September. Indoor Pool -- The user survey has been completed and the engineering consultants reports are complete. Recreation Manager Jean Helburg stated at this point, we could be potentially looking at a pool/senior center combination. The pool would include eight lanes, warm therapy pool, shallow water teaching area, shallow water play area, and a water slide. Billie Higgins and Rene' Clements Cooney will represent the Building Team at the Council worksession on March 12. Mike Powers complimented Jean on organizing and facilitating this project and how smoothly it has run. Staff will keep the Board updated on the projects. 1990 Parks and Recreation Board Annual Report On a motion by Bob McCluskey, seconded by K-Lynn Cameron, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accept the report as submitted by staff. Board Members and Staff Comments/Reports - The 1990 Parks and Recreation Board attendance record was distributed for informational purposes only. - Elery Wilmarth shared an article that appeared in the Co7oradoan regarding outdoor ice skating and the request for additional areas. Staff responded that there is usually three weeks of outdoor ice skating in Fort Collins every winter and this year we were able to keep the outdoor rink open five weeks. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. fullk submit e Rael, Admi i raV ve Aide II Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Bob McCluskey Michael Powers Elery Wilmarth Jerry P. Brown Roger Tarum Jean Helburg Robert Alexander Dave Mosnik Rene' Clements Cooney Tim Buchanan K-Lynn Cameron Ralph Zentz Mary Ness Jackie Rael Karen Schubert Jerry Krygier Warren Vann Gary E. Nordick Janice Webb Steve Webb Christine O'Neill